Hello....

Long time no blog!  One of my New Years Resolutions is to blog at least once a week.  Believe it or not I use this blog to track Ethan's Medical History, we are in the process of getting ready for our first trip to the National Institute of Health in a couple of weeks.  Ethan has been accepted into the Undiagnosed Disease Program.  I have had to gather a ton of info and was able to pull a lot of it from my entries. 

My family from out of state also likes to read our blog and catch up on all the kiddos!  Here is recap of the Fall/Winter of 2011:

Jake - started 5th grade, played a fun season of football,was an Usher at my Little Sister's Wedding, Celebrated his 11th Birthday was his 2 Best Friends and Dad by going out for wings and go carting because he informed us that he is just too old for a birthday party, took his first communion and is almost as tall as me....

Gracie - started 3rd grade, was an amazing Rebel's Cheerleader,was a Junior Bridesmaid at my Little Sister's Wedding, Celebrated her 9th Birthday by having a Spa Sleepover with 13 girls, played Mary in the Christmas Eve Pageant at Church and has the most giving and loving heart of anyone I have ever met.

Anna Claire - started Pre-K, started taking Gymnastics (which she LOVES), went to her first Nascar race with her Bestie, got her first Pedicure, was a flower girl at my Little Sister's Wedding, Celebrated her 5th Birthday by having a triple birthday party with her 2 Besties and has a sassy and silly style all of her own!

Ethan- started Preschool, turned 3, continues to Love his Romp n Roll Classes, has started communicating with  more words, walking all over the place with and without his walker, took his first tractor ride and was not afraid of the loud  noise (big huge step for him) and continues to amaze us every day!

It's been an amazing year filled with tons of love and great accomplishment.  Here's hoping 2012 is even better!

 

Big News....

Jake started 5th grade (last year of elementary, boo hoo hoo) Gracie started 3rd grade

 Anna Claire started Pre-K

and Ethan, well,  see for yourself....



How do the Hams Keep Cool?

Wow, it has been a hot weekend.  Here is how we stayed cool this weekend...

Summer is great, huh?

Weekend Wrap Up

We had a great weekend with family and spent a lot of time outdoors!  Just the way we like it.

Saturday we headed out to the Hanover Tomato Festival. 

 The girls had fun at the petting zoo,

 learning how to plant herbs,

 Ethan and Anna Claire had a tractor race and Papaw will be glad to see the John Deere won,

 Ethan loved the corn box - a box full of tractors and corn what else could you want?

 Gracie thought it would be fun to have a picture made with her and Ethan in front of cow

Today we went to my Parents for the afternoon.  My Sister made the most amazing ribs, they were so yummy!  My Uncle and his Family is visiting from Alabama.  We had a great time visiting with everyone.

 Anna Claire tried ribs for the first time and loved them!

 Nannie's Kitchen is always the place to hang out!

 Anna Claire entertained us with music and singing

This picture of my Sister and Ethan cracks me up! 

 Uncle Robert practicing the song that my Sister will walk down the aisle when she gets married.

 My Dad and Chris look to be in deep conversation.

I finished the evening up with some couponing....



 CVS - before coupons, ECB and sales = $35.93, afterwards = $10.22 (saved $25.71) (Yes, that's 3 packs of Expo Markers - they were on sale for $1.99 and Jake needs 2 packs while Gracie needs 1 for back to school supplies) Walked away with $2 worth of ECB to spend next time.

 Rite Aid - before Up rewards, sales and coupons = $20.04, afterwards = $4.05 (savings of $15.99) Walked away with $5 in up rewards to spend next time

Kroger = Before coupons and sales = $72.83, afterwards = $34.09 (savings of $38.74) Yes, that is 8 packs of crayons but hey at .25 a piece and Gracie needed 4, Jake needed 1 and Anna Claire needing 1 you just can't beat it for back to school sales!

Staples and Walgreens have some good back to school sales on some of the items the kids need so I'm going to try and check that out tomorrow!

Good Night!